After three years and 8,000 miles, Elsye “Chardonnay” Walker reached the summit of Mount Katahdin, becoming the first Black hiker of any gender to complete a Triple Crown.
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In the United States, public lands are accessible to everyone, in theory—but only if you know the inside baseball. This article breaks down the four largest federal public land managers, plus three more you probably haven’t heard of, so you can get outside with family and friends this summer.
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Something unexpected happens while I am on the trail…my parents became my supporters and advocates. They make dua for me, send me care packages, and shoo away anyone who questions why I’m walking from Mexico to Canada.
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Within the South Asian community, more and more women are redefining what it means to be outdoorsy. They are breaking records, challenging stereotypes, and writing their own narratives — all while centering community.
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It’s not always about hiking 6+ miles, gaining 1000 ft in elevation, or taking a selfie at the top of a mountain. It’s really about immersing yourself in nature and feeling grounded.
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Spending time outdoors and starting a family can seem like they are at odds first, but it’s possible to maintain outdoor hobbies while also being an involved parent.
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On your next trip to a U.S. national park, we invite you to visit a historic site tied to a community or Person of Color for a unique learning experience.
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Nicole Snell has a passion for sharing her love of solo travel with others. “I love the freedom of being outdoors,” said the lifelong backpacker. “ As a child being outside was safety for me — for others, it is their scary place.”
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The following Asian women backpackers are using TikTok to inspire others to get outside. Looking for great content to help you get off your phone and on the trail? They’ve got you covered!
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Even though we may face similar obstacles - like safety, access and representation - our stories and journeys are not the same. If you identify as a LGBTQIA+ Person of Color, you know just how hard it is to find a truly-inclusive outdoor community: Do you join the melanated affinity group with zero queer/trans leadership or the all-white queer outdoor meetup?
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I needed gear, and lots of it. I needed the right colors and styles and brands. These were the rules of how to interact with nature, and they were created by people who did not look like me. As a child trying to belong, I felt unsafe disrupting these patterns.
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A few times a year I hike along the Appalachian Trail in nearby Roanoke, VA along with what feels like half of Virginia Tech. It’s always a lot of fun. Hungry Mother, on the other hand, has always felt like an off-the-beaten path alternative—fewer crowds, steeper, shorter trails, and gorgeous lake views.
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Maryland Heights overlook offers a scenic view of Lower Town, Harpers Ferry and—if you’re lucky—a CSX train thundering its way across the railroad bridge far below. It’s absolutely breathtaking.
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New to hiking? Here are a few hiking basics you should know.
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Five Asian American-led outdoor groups that are helping reshape the industry.
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Everyone should have access to wild foods and medicines, but not at the expense of Black, Indigenous people of color. So how can we uplift these communities instead of erasing them?
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We so often focus on reasons why Black people should try outdoor adventure sports. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t, or why you should at least be careful about who you try them with.
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“Then it was bad. It’s very normal for people with bipolar to be misdiagnosed with severe depression and to be put on antidepressants, but because the medication doesn’t address the mania, it can be really harmful.”
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The media loves to portray people like me—people experiencing psychotic breaks and those with severe mental illness as violent and predatory. As people who should be locked away.
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As I have worked through decolonizing my own relationship with nature, I have learned that our obsession with summits is obsolete. In fact—it is problematic.
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